How Ange Postecoglou’s coaching style won over his Tottenham playing group
Ange Postecoglou has his Tottenham side thriving in the Premier League. Now, some of his past players have revealed his sometimes scary nature that’s got him to the top.
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Ange Postecoglou has people singing his name as he conquers the football world – but he had to march to own tune to get there.
A new book Revolution (Affirm Press), written by Edinburgh-based sports writer John Greechan, has spotlighted the brave, fascinating “man apart’’ route taken by Postecoglou on his marathon coaching journey where he made a point of not getting too close to his players and assistant coaches.
According to several of his closest friends and players who played under him, Postecoglou is very happy to be the Lone Piper who keeps a calculated distance from the men whose careers are at his mercy.
He has been determined to operate without fear or favour even if it has meant, at different parts of his journey, having the occasional room service meal when others were socialising.
The book’s cover fittingly features a photo of his famous 1000-yard stare that would burn a hole in a cement block.
The former Socceroos coach has become one of the most talked about and admired managers in world football after guiding a previously fragile Tottenham side to the top of the English Premier League with a style of attacking football that Spurs fans crave and cherish.
Postecoglou’s old friend Nick Deligiannis said the master coach, who has the likes of Robbie Williams singing songs in his honour, was “a very private person but there are a group of four or five mates who are like his family.’’
“He keeps his distance from players and staff because he has always felt it is a tough enough job. You need distance to do the things you want to do, he believes,’’ Deligiannis said.
Postecoglou famously drove 14 hours to sign gifted Brisbane Roar star Thomas Broich and the German remains one of his greatest admirers.
But despite their connection being hugely beneficial for both men – Broich rediscovered his fading love for the game as he breathed life into Postecoglou’s then battling coaching career - the book reveals the relationship stayed on surprisingly formal terms.
“You kind of crave a personal relationship with your coach but he was so authoritarian almost. You had so much respect for him you were almost scared to walk into his office or ask for a favour,’’ Broich said.
“But he was a very good person. When I had personal problems he allowed me to fly back to Germany mid-season and he said “go back for three days, come back and the only thing I ask for you is to play well.’ He’s a very good human being but there was never a chance of small talk. You miss that as a player and you don’t want to be scared all the time but in hindsight I understand the kind of atmosphere he created was one of high expectations.’’
Former Celtic and Socceroos striker Scott McDonald, sensationally dropped to the bench when national team captain in a World Cup game against Brazil, gave insight into the no-frills, no favours mentality which is an Ange trademark.
“I had been captain of his under-20s team and was his most experienced player. He pulled me into his hotel room and just said: “You’re not playing. You don’t suit the style we need to beat this team.’’ He did what he thought was best and made the hard call.’’
McDonald said it was not the Ange way to expect excuses or lengthy explanations. “He doesn’t need to. He’s moving on. That’s the way he works and you have got to respect that.’’
The book contains a story of a Young Socceroos assistant coach who feared he may have been off with Ange due to their limited contact before someone eased his mind when he said: “You’re fine … it’s when he asks to talk to you, you should be worried.’’
Star Tottenham recruit Jamie Maddison, whose form has been rejuvenated under Postecoglou, believes the manager’s directness is a key strength.
“He’s open. He’s honest. He’s straight to the point ... there’s no mucking about,’’ Maddison told England’s Talksport this week.
“And that’s just refreshing. You don’t want a manager who is giving mixed messages or having favourites.
“He’s a good, honest, hard-working man which is the foundation he bases his teams off and that’s just infectious to us players.”
“The team is really buying into what the manager is trying to create, which is important,” “The way he (Postecoglou) wants us to train, day in, day out, it’s like it’s infectious.
“You can tell by the way he carries himself, the way he speaks to people, the way he speaks to the media. He’s just a good man.
“You can’t have an off day with him. There’s no day when you can go out and be half-hearted and just think ‘I’m gonna get through’.
“Every session, every training day is intense, it’s hard. It’s his way.
“And we are reaping the rewards of that on the pitch on a Saturday. Long may that continue.”
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